Youth Serves: Streak Snapped

Lester Gets First Win, Papelbon 21st Save

June 17, 2006|By DAVID HEUSCHKEL; Courant Staff Writer

ATLANTA — The standing room only crowd, the largest this season at Turner Field, wasn't as nerve-racking to Jon Lester as the packed house at Fenway Park six days earlier in his first big league start.

What about the sea of tomahawk chops?

``I hated those as a kid. So they don't bother me that much,'' the 22-year-old rookie said.

Lester was more concerned with making his pitches to the heart of the Braves order with the bases loaded. Chipper Jones was at the plate and Andruw Jones was on deck. These are the experiences that will make Lester or break him. One mistake and the score easily could have been tied.

Lester kept his composure and, more important, made his pitches when he had to, earning his first win as the Red Sox defeated the Braves 4-1 Friday night before 51,038 to end a four-game losing streak.

Lester allowed one run and five hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked three.

``It feels good,'' said Lester (1-0, 3.48 ERA), who allowed three runs -- two earned -- five hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings in a 7-4 loss to the Rangers last Saturday. ``You can't beat it. It was a lot of fun, a big crowd and everything.''

It didn't matter to him that the Braves are in a major rut, having lost 15 of 18. Lester didn't think his job was any easier because the Braves weren't familiar with him.

``They're big league hitters and they get paid to hit,'' Lester said. ``As long as I execute my pitches, I've got a good idea I'm going to get you out.''

Lester said he hit the strike zone better with his fastball and had better command of his pitches than in his first start Sunday against the Rangers. He was more aggressive.

``I thought he pitched with a lot of poise,'' manager Terry Francona said.

Pitching with a four-run lead probably helped.

The Red Sox scored a run in the second and capitalized on Tim Hudson's control problems the next inning. The veteran righthander walked three and threw a wild pitch. Jason Varitek came through with the bases loaded, driving a pitch to the wall in right-center for a three-run double, making it 4-0.

Lester escaped a jam in the fourth, breaking Adam LaRoche's bat to produce a soft liner to short with two on to end the inning. The Braves mounted another threat the next inning, loading the bases with one out. Lester got Chipper Jones to hit a sacrifice fly to right, a huge out. He then walked Andruw Jones on four pitches before retiring Jeff Francoeur on a bouncer to short.

``Both those guys are dangerous,'' Lester said. ``You've got to pick your poison. You've got Francoeur on deck. He's a little bit more of a free swinger. You can make a decent pitch and get him out. Andruw, he hit 50-something home runs [51] last year. In that situation, I wanted to maybe get him to swing at my pitch, which he didn't.''

The game began the same way it ended, with a rookie on the mound for the Red Sox. Jonathan Papelbon got the final three outs for his 21st save. Mike Lowell made a diving catch to seal the win for Lester.

``It's what you dream of as a little kid,'' Lester said. ``I can't really describe how it is right now. It hasn't really sunk in. All I can say is it was a lot of fun and I'll always remember it.''

Clement On DL

Matt Clement was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder sprain, one of several roster moves made by the Red Sox.

The team also purchased the contract of outfielder Gabe Kapler from Triple A Pawtucket and claimed righthander Kyle Snyder off waivers from the Royals. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Dustan Mohr and lefthander Mike Holtz were designated for assignment.

Snyder, who was designated for assignment Sunday by Kansas City, has 72 hours to report to the Red Sox. He has not been added to the active roster.

Francona did not name his starter for Monday, which was Clement's spot, and would not say whether Snyder was a candidate.

A first-round pick (seventh overall) by the Royals in 1999, Snyder is 2-9 with a 5.91 ERA in 29 career games (19 starts) since making his debut in 2003.

He has spent the majority of this season at Triple A Omaha (0-4, 3.88), making nine starts and one relief appearance.

Kapler Expected In Lineup

Kapler, 30, gives the team a right-handed hitting outfielder off the bench. He is expected to be in the lineup today, completing his comeback from a ruptured left Achilles' tendon.

``I can tell you I'm where I need to be, but I can't tell you much more after that,'' Kapler said. ... Francona hasn't decided whether to start David Ortiz at first base all three games of the series. Kevin Youkilis wasn't in the lineup Friday and Lowell will sit Sunday. ... Red Sox partner Mike Gordon sponsored a trip for 34 patients and chaperones of the Jimmy Fund to Turner Field this weekend. ... The Braves will recall righthander Lance Cormier today to face the Red Sox. ... Lester became the youngest Red Sox pitcher to win a game since Juan Pena (May 8, 1999). ... Rudy Seanez has allowed two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings over his last 15 relief appearances. He pitched a perfect seventh, striking out Marcus Giles and Edgar Renteria. ... Since returning from the DL, Mike Timlin has retired all six batters he's faced.